Mastery of Design: The Cypher Brooch, 1838

Cypher Brooch, 1838
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection 
Images Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Made in 1838 for Queen Victoria this brooch takes the form of an eight-pointed star. The star has been set with lovely emeralds surrounded by a border of fine, brilliant-cut diamonds. A cipher in Arabic script has been mounted in diamonds against the emeralds at the center. The backing of the pin is silver, customary in the early Nineteenth Century for diamond pieces, while the pin and catch are crafted of sturdier gold. 

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: The Star of the Saxe-Ernestine Order, 1840

The Star of the Saxe-Ernestine Order
Created for Prince Albert, 1840
Gold, Yellow Diamonds, White Diamonds,
Opals, Emeralds, Blue Enamel
The Royal Collection

Of the many stars and garter badges given to Prince Albert during his life, this one is the most unusual for its use of opals in place of white enamel and the inclusion of both white and canary diamonds.


This is the Star of the Saxe-Ernestine Order which was given to Prince Albert in 1840. The order was founded in 1833 by Albert’s father, Ernest of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The star was meant to commemorate Albert’s appointment as Grand Cross of the Order in 1838.

Prince Albert can be seen wearing this particular star in the painting of the christening of the Princess Royal byCharles Robert Leslie in 1841.

The Christening of Victoria, Princess Royal
1841-1843
Charles Robert Leslie
The Royal Collection

Mastery of Design: The Cypher Brooch, 1838

Cypher Brooch, 1838
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Today, in honor of Carol Channing, our first entry in our “Exceptional People” series, we’ve been looking at diamonds—Miss Channing’s best friend. So, I thought it would be fun to share with you a brooch from the Royal Collection with which I’m not previously familiar.

Made in 1838 for Queen Victoria this brooch takes the form of an eight-pointed star. The star has been set with lovely emeralds surrounded by a border of fine, brilliant-cut diamonds. A cipher in Arabic script has been mounted in diamonds against the emeralds at the center. The backing of the pin is silver, customary in the early Nineteenth Century for diamond pieces, while the pin and catch are crafted of sturdier gold.